Miele’s first line of North American Refrigeration is Expected to Launch April 2008

Luxury refrigeration is here. Miele is launching its North American refrigeration system – MasterCool – this April.

“Our patented MasterCool control system beautifully merges accessibility, functionality and design,” states Matthew Kueny, Senior Product Manager for Miele, Inc. “Since most users generally don’t know the proper settings to correctly preserve fruits, vegetables and other perishables, the Miele MasterCool controls automatically optimize the SmartFresh storage drawers by maintaining a temperature just above freezing and varying the humidity levels. The controls are conveniently located for all users, regardless of height, and our clear food-driven descriptions (dairy, meat, fruit, etc.) make using them as simple as a touch of a button.”

“Our research indicated that customers want to be able to see every area of their refrigerator,” continues Kueny. “Our innovative ClearView lighting design washes the entire unit in bright, clean light using a sophisticated blend of direct spots and an indirect halogen parabolic reflector that cast light throughout the cavity. These major advances are supported by other exciting new innovations such as adjustable Drop and Lock shelving and FullView completely extendable drawer.”

Modular Design System Offers Maximum Flexibility
MasterCool™ refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers are based on a modular design concept allowing for virtually limitless combinations and location flexibility when designing a kitchen environment. Further expanding the options… each appliance can be hinged left or right. These stunning handcrafted appliances are available in stainless steel finish or can be fully integrated behind custom cabinetry.

Three types of installation are available so designers may incorporate these products into any kitchen environment:
1) Framed Stainless – a standard stainless design that remains a popular, classic look right out of the box.
2) Framed – allows models to be installed flush of the surrounding cabinetry and provides a frame for custom cabinet panels.
3) Fully Integrated – frameless, solution where the refrigerator disappears into the cabinetry surrounding it. A bottom mounted ventilation system integrates/disappears fully as well.

Noteworthy features include:

MasterCool™ Controls Lock in FreshnessMeat, cheese, produce even seafood, all demand a unique environmental storage condition in order to keep them fresh and flavorful. Milk, for example, is stored perfectly at 40oF, while vegetables require a temperature just above freezing. When it comes to humidity control, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy and deli last longer in a drier environment than fruits do. In reality, most homeowners are unfamiliar with how to properly set these levels given the ambiguity of user controls. When Miele’s MasterCool control system is activated, the user is greeted with a food-driven menu system that is easy to view, understand and adjust for each of its four independent cooling zones within the cabinet.

Dual Compressor System Keeps Ice and Water FreshIcemaker and water/ice dispensing units deliver a truly refreshing drink thanks to Miele’s dual compressor system and the MasterCool filtration system. All Miele preservation appliances (not only select models) have a dedicated cooling system responsible for each interior compartment guaranteeing the refrigerator and freezer – even if they are housed in a single product like a bottom mount appliance – do not exchange air. This technology eliminates flavor transfer so the salmon stored in the refrigerator doesn’t affect the quality of the ice cubes.

Energy Star® EfficientMasterCool is Energy Star compliant and its dual compressor system helps make the system as energy efficient as possible.

RemoteVision™ Protects Food & Wine InvestmentsIf a family member accidentally left the door ajar to a refrigerator, freezer or wine cooler before leaving for a weekend get-away or if a critical cooling component was to malfunction without detection, the loss and inconvenience would be extensive, especially if storing a valued wine collection or high-quality meats and seafood. With Miele’s innovative RemoteVision homeowners will enjoy complete peace of mind, eliminating this anxiety.

Using Miele’s proprietary wireless local area network (WLAN) technology and application software, RemoteVision enabled products will have a 24/7 connection to Miele’s monitoring center. This “virtual link” is established when a fault occurs allowing a secured transmission of vital temperature and performance data alerting Miele’s client service center, who can then contact the homeowner or another trusted individual, identified on their call roster, in order to gain access to the home and fix the problem immediately. By the end of 2008, this technology will be extended to other Miele appliances including dishwashers and washing machines.

ClearView™ Sheds Light Everywhere
Miele’s exclusive ClearView lighting system illuminates every nook of the interior cabinet on each level to achieve maximum exposure of all contents. ClearView applies uniquely engineered halogen lamps that cascade light from the top and sides of the appliance, eliminating blind or dark areas. Even those items tucked in the rear of a fully stocked refrigerator, concealed by large catering platters or nestled in the storage drawers are in ClearView.

FullView™ Extends Drawers CompletelyFullView storage drawers are built from top-quality materials to ensure stability as they fully extend providing an unobstructed view and easy access to contents. FullView is a built-in benefit found in all MasterCool appliances.

SmartFresh™ Preserves Foods Longer
SmartFresh drawers are customizable to store and preserve food at the perfect temperature and humidity requirements. Users select the drawer location and food type (dairy, meat, vegetables, etc.) from the MasterCool menu system and Miele’s signature electronics adjust and maintain the ideal conditions so food is fresher and nutritious longer.

SuperCool™ Gives Warmed Up Groceries a Boost to the Right TemperatureAfter stocking either compartment with a significant load of new groceries, including bulky items like fresh poultry or large party platters, engaging SuperCool will override the thermostat and begin cooling the cabinet to a reduced temperature… 35°F in the refrigerator and -22°F in the freezer. SuperCool will continue working to achieve these lowered temperatures for a period of 6 or 52 hours (for the refrigerator and freezer respectively) until it reaches this exact degree or it’s manually disengaged.

Drop and Lock™ Adjustable Shelves
Adjusting shelves and bins on the door and inside the appliance cabinet is a simple one-handed operation. Miele’s convenient Drop and Lock system keeps each unit firmly aligned on its slide-rail framework so an easy “tilt up and slide motion” is all it takes to move the unit higher or lower. Once the desired position is located, simply drop the shelf and watch it automatically lock safely into place.

A floating deli drawer in the refrigerator and unique divider system in the freezer compartment add to the overall flexibility. Both effortlessly glide across shelves or within bins to maximize storage efficiencies.

Stability Hinge™ Eliminates Sagging DoorsMiele products are known the world over for their robust construction. Fully-loaded, with food items on the inside and an elaborate, decorative custom panel on the outside, these hinges are capable of carrying a collective load of over 200 pounds and are tested for over 200,000 door cycles… that’s twice the industry standard! This stamina ensures the door will stay stable, secure and won’t sag over time.

TLC Installation System™ is Gentler to Fine Homes
After understanding the challenges installers undertake when securing counter-depth refrigerator or wine cooler units, Miele developed the TLC Installation System to make mounting MasterCool products a job easy enough for one technician to handle. Key to this system’s success is its unique height adjustable rear wheels for smooth steering of the appliance. These high-quality wheels limit possible floor damage and are adjustable for final mounting from the front of the appliance. Additionally, a convenient ladder bracket makes the installation of any panel, stainless steel or custom cabinetry, a snap. The TLC Installation System: an industry first to save time, labor and costs during the delivery and installation of cooling appliances.

Retail prices will be made public in April when the products are on retail display, but may be provided upon request for qualified news stories.

Comments

Interesting. I have exactly the same problem. I want mine replaced as even a $50 microwave shouldn’t have this problem, let alone one that costs over $1,000 in Canada. Did you find a solution. Did it completely solve the problem. How was Miele in dealing with you.

I’m not very happy with Miele. When I purchased my steam oven and microwave from my local dealer, the dealer informed me that all purchases have to be made directly through Miele. We had to sit in his office and purchase it online. It sort of cheapened the process in my mind. I couldn’t pay the dealer either. I had barely got home and the phone rang. Miele phoned my home on a Saturday to ensure I really had purchased the items and made arrangements for delivery. They were really agressive about ensuring they were paid in full 2 weeks before delivery or I wouldn’t get it. I paid them about a month in advance to ensure no problem. (I didn’t need it sooner as we were renovating our kitchen). The day for delivery came and went so I had to phone Miele. They didn’t know what happened, had difficulty finding any record of my purchase and re-scheduled delivery for about a week later. Not impressed. When my microwave oven door would not open, I contacted the dealer. They said they are not allowed to deal with anything. You have to talk directly to Miele. It makes you wonder why you need the dealer then. I told them the problem is so severe (it was) I wanted a new microwave. They told me it only needed lubrication. I told them the local Miele installer, who I paid to install, already tried that. They said sorry but they have to try. That was 4 weeks ago. 3 1/2 weeks ago their repair person removed the microwave leaving a huge hole in my cabinets. I still haven’t heard from them. I’m very unhappy with Miele and the poor service I have received.

Its interesting to note also that Miele’s customer service phone number in Canada doesn’t even have a trouble shooting option that I could find. When presented with numbers to press to be redirected, they have a customer care option but after that none of the options are about talking to them about a problem with your product. You’d think when they take the power of the dealer away to deal with things they would at least have a number. Instead you have to randomly pick a non-applicable option and then find someone to talk to about your problem or get re-directed.

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